One of the most oft overlooked aspects of racing by the uninitiated is the warmup. Whether it’s due to a lack of time/poor planning, or a desire to save energy for the race, not warming up properly WILL bite you in the ass. Guaranteed.
“But wait, why can’t I just walk from my car to the start line and CRUSH?”
Because you’re whole body is asleep, duh!
Bottom line, the more oxygen you can get to your muscles, the better you are going to do!
There are many different structures and functions that facilitate oxygen transfer from the atmosphere into your muscle cells where it’s used to convert energy into a usable form. NONE of the many structures and functions work better just off the seat of your sweet little Subaru.
For example: Part of getting oxygen to your muscles is transporting it through the blood, right? When you are at rest, your blood vessels are constricted, to keep your blood pressure up while your heart rate is low. Once your heart rate increases, these blood vessels need some time to open up so that you can get full flow.
Second example: Plain ol’ heat. Every chemical process in your body is enhanced by temperature. Basic chemistry, right? When your body is cold (er), hemoglobin doesn’t carry as much oxygen, oxidative enzymes are not as effective, etc.
What both of these examples (and a dozen others I could go into) mean, is that without a warmup, your muscles are getting less oxygen. With less oxygen, but the same demand (racing), you go anaerobic QUICKLY. When you go anaerobic, you feel like crap, you slow down, and you get your ass kicked. Don’t get your ass kicked, kids, warm up.
